Pokémon Scarlet Violet Gym Leader Rematch Guide

The gym leaders of Paldea are tougher than ever-new strategies, stronger teams, and unexpected twists await those bold enough to challenge them again. Here’s how to prepare for every rematch and claim victory a second time.

Each gym leader has beefed up a little bit, evolving their original party and adding in a few new creatures to make things a bit harder. You will not need to complete the gym test again. Just walk into the building and you’ll a chance to get battle the leader. You can only rematch each gym leader once (according to what we’ve experienced, at least).

Below we list all the gyms and their rematch teams. These levels do not vary or increase, so you don’t need to do them in any specific order. We’ve listed them in their original order for organization’s sake.

By the time you get here, you should know the drill, but we listed out their weaknesses below anyway.

Katy, bug-type gym leader (Cortondo) rematch team

Katy returns in Cortondo with a bug-type team centered on Ursaluna, her evolved Teddiursa from the academy ace tournament. She leads with Nymble, a speedy early threat that evolves into Lokix for bigger rematches, backed by Tarountula spinning webs to trap foes. Spidops and Heracross provide bulk and heavy hits, while Vespiquen commands a hive of Combee for support. Bring fire, flying, or rock moves to sweep her lineup quickly, as Ursaluna’s strength demands priority over her swarmers.

Lokix, level 65 (bug/dark)
Forretress, level 65 (bug/steel)
Heracross, level 65 (bug/fighting)
Spidops, level 65 (bug)
Ursaring, level 66 (normal with bug Tera Type)

Katy’s bug-type Pokémon are weak against flying-, rock-, and fire-type moves.

Brassius, grass-type gym leader (Artazon) rematch team

Brassius returns with a stronger team centered on sturdy Grass-types that can cover their weaknesses more effectively. His rematch lineup features Pokémon like Lilligant, Breloom, and Arboliva, supported by clever type coverage and status moves. Expect improved speed, healing tactics, and tricky setups that punish careless switches. His ace, Sudowoodo, still takes the spotlight with its Grass Tera Type, ready to surprise anyone underestimating its strength.

Lilligant, level 65 (grass)
Tsareena, level 65 (grass)
Breloom, level 65 (grass/fighting)
Arboliva, level 65 (grass/normal)
Sudowoodo, level 66 (rock with grass Tera Type)

Brassius’ grass-type Pokémon are weak against bug-, fire-, flying-, ice-, and poison-type moves, though beware of his Breloom, which will counter ice-type Pokémon.

Iono, electric-type gym leader (Levincia) rematch team

Iono’s rematch team brings stronger Electric Pokémon with wider move coverage and improved tactics. She leads with Kilowattrel to set the pace using fast special attacks, followed by Bellibolt and Luxray for mixed offense. Magnezone provides sturdy defense and hits back with powerful special moves, while Electrode uses disruptive strategies to pressure opponents. Her ace, Mismagius, Terastallizes into pure Electric type and delivers high-speed attacks that test both timing and team balance.

Kilowattrel, level 65 (electric/flying)
Luxray, level 65 (electric)
Bellibolt, level 65 (electric)
Electrode, level 65 (electric)
Mismagius, level 66 (ghost with electric Tera Type)

Iono’s electric type Pokémon are weak against ground-type moves, but they will not affect her Kilowattrel due to its dual flying-type. You can use rock- or ice-type moves to ground it.

Kofu, water-type gym leader (Cascarrafa) rematch team

Kofu’s rematch in Cascarrafa showcases a stronger water-type team focused on tough mix-ups and weather control. His lineup includes Pelipper to summon rain, boosted sweepers like Barraskewda and Drednaw, and defensive anchors such as Wugtrio and Veluza. Through careful use of rain-boosted attacks and speed advantages, Kofu pressures opponents to adapt quickly. His ace, Crabominable, uses its Water Tera Type to hit even harder, making solid electric- or grass-type counters especially useful for victory.

Veluza, level 65 (water/psychic)
Pelipper, level 65 (water/flying)
Clawitzer, level 65 (water)
Wugtrio, level 65 (water)
Crabominable, level 66 (fighting/ice with water Tera Type)

Kofu’s water-type Pokémon are weak against electric- and grass-type moves, though beware that half of his team has dual-typing that will counter grass-type Pokémon.

Larry, normal-type gym leader (Medali) rematch team

Larry’s rematch team in Medali continues his focus on sturdy Normal-type Pokémon, but with higher levels and improved tactics. He now leads with Komala, Dudunsparce, Staraptor, Braviary, and Blissey, each designed to cover different weaknesses and apply pressure through physical and special attacks. Expect his Staraptor to hit hard with strong Flying moves and Blissey to stall with healing and status effects, making balanced teams with Fighting-type coverage the most reliable approach to victory.

Oinkolonge, level 65 (normal)
Braviary, level 65 (normal/flying)
Dudunsparce, level 65 (normal)
Komala, level 65 (normal)
Staraptor, level 66 (normal/flying with normal Tera Type)

Larry’s normal-type Pokémon are weak against fighting-type moves, but his two flying-type Pokémon will counter these. He loves to use Brave Bird, so we recommend just hitting the flying-types with the hardest moves you got to get them out of the battle.

Ryme, ghost-type gym leader (Montenevera) rematch team

Ryme’s rematch in Montenevera brings a stronger Ghost-type lineup that tests both defense and coverage. Her team now includes Mimikyu, Banette, Houndstone, Gengar, and Toxtricity (Amped Form) with boosted levels and improved strategies. Expect tricky moves like Disguise disruption from Mimikyu and speed sweeps from Gengar, while Houndstone’s physical attacks and Toxtricity’s dual typing keep battles unpredictable. Dark- and Ghost-resistant Pokémon with good Speed and coverage moves can handle her mix of offense and trickery.

Mimikyu, level 65 (ghost/fairy)
Banette, level 65 (ghost)
Houndstone, level 65 (ghost)
Spiritomb, level 65 (ghost/dark)
Toxtricity, level 66 (electric with ghost Tera Type)

Ryme’s ghost-type Pokémon are weak against ghost- and dark-type moves, though there are some counters in her party, like her Mimikyu, which is fairy-type (which counters dark-type moves).

Tulip, psychic-type gym leader (Alfornada) rematch team

Tulip’s rematch team in Alfornada brings out her strongest Psychic-type Pokémon, each equipped with moves that counter common weaknesses. Her lineup includes Farigiraf, Espathra, Gardevoir, Gallade, and Florges, all capable of hitting hard and using status moves to disrupt opponents. Expect smart use of Terastalization to boost her Psychic attacks, so Dark- and Ghost-type Pokémon with solid defenses or strong priority moves are your best options to handle her strategy.

Farigiarf, level 65 (normal/psychic)
Gallade, level 65 (psychic/fighting)
Gardevoir, level 65 (psychic/fairy)
Espathra, level 65 (psychic)
Florges, level 66 (fairy with psychic Tera Type)

Tulip’s psychic-type Pokémon are weak against bug-, dark-, and ghost-type moves. She has a few counters in her team (ie. Gallade, which will counter dark-type Pokémon with its fighting-type moves) but they shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Grusha, ice-type gym leader (Glaseado) rematch team

Grusha’s rematch team in Glaseado focuses on high-speed offense and mixed defenses, pushing players to prepare for powerful Ice-type attacks. His lineup includes Frosmoth, Beartic, Cetitan, Weavile, and Chien-Pao, all capable of striking hard with physical or special moves. Chien-Pao’s Dark/Ice typing adds a dangerous edge, while Frosmoth’s special attacks can quickly overwhelm unprepared teams. Bringing Pokémon with strong Fire-, Steel-, or Fighting-type moves is the best way to counter his frosty strategy.

Frosmoth, level 65 (ice/bug)
Beartic, level 65 (ice)
Cetitan, level 65 (ice)
Weavile, level 65 (dark/ice)
Altaria, level 66 (dragon/flying with ice Tera Type)

Grusha’s ice-type Pokémon are all weak to fighting-, fire-, rock-, and steel-type moves. Fire is very effective against Frosmoth and dark-type moves is great against Weavile specifically.

Once you beat all the gym leaders for the second time, you’ll be summoned back to your school for the Academy Ace Tournament, which effectively replaces the series’ historical option rematch the Elite Four. Rather than spamming the Pokémon League, you’ll be able to fight four random students and teachers from school at high levels for money and EXP.

Best Pokémon counters for each gym leader rematch

Gym leader rematches in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet feature level 65-66 teams with evolved Pokémon and Tera Types, so counters should be level 65+ with super-effective moves and coverage for dual typings.

Prioritize type advantages while watching for Terastallization shifts. Here are top counters for each.

Katy (Bug, Cortondo)

Her team includes Lokix (Bug/Dark), Forretress (Bug/Steel), Heracross (Bug/Fighting), Spidops (Bug), and Ursaring (Normal Tera Bug).

Fire/Flying: Talonflame or Charizard sweeps most Bugs; resists Steel and ignores Normal Tera.
Rock/Flying: Corviknight tanks Fighting and hits Bug/Steel super effectively.

Brassius (Grass, Artazon)

Features Breloom (Grass/Fighting), Arboliva (Grass/Poison), Lilligant (Grass Tera), and others.

Flying: Staraptor or Bombirdier outspeeds and crushes Grass/Fighting.
Fire: Skeledirge melts Grass while resisting Poison; watch Breloom’s speed.

Iono (Electric, Levincia)

Bellibolt, Luxray, Kilowattrel (Electric/Flying), Electrode, Mismagius (Ghost Tera Electric).

Ground: Garchomp or Gliscor immune to Electric, Ground crushes all but handles Ghost with coverage.
Rock: Tyranitar absorbs Electric/Flying and smashes with Stone Edge.

Kofu (Water, Cascarrafa)

Veluza, Wugtrio, Pelipper, Kingambit (Dark/Steel Tera Water?), others.

Grass: Meowscarada or Quaquaval hits Water hard; Grass resists Steel coverage.
Electric: Bellibolt (ironic matchup) or Miraidon for speed and STAB Electric.

Larry (Normal, Medali)

Staraptor (Normal/Flying Tera Normal), Oinkologne, Braviary, Dudunsparce, Komala.

Fighting: Annihilape or Iron Valiant obliterates Normal/Flying; priority Rage Fist shines.
Rock: Coalossal walls Flying and crushes with Head Smash.

Ryme (Ghost, Montenevera)

Mimikyu (Ghost/Fairy), Banette, Houndstone, Spiritomb (Ghost/Dark), Toxtricity (Electric/Poison Tera Ghost).

Dark: Kingambit or Weavile hits Ghost/Dark super effectively; resists Fairy.
Ghost: Gholdengo immune to Ghost, Make It Rain devastates.

Tulip (Psychic, Alfornada)

Florges, Farigiraf, Gardevoir, Indeedee, Gallade (Psychic/Fighting Tera Psychic).

Dark/Bug: Grimmsnarl (Dark) or Lokix (Bug/Dark) shreds Psychic; handles Fighting.
Steel: Kingambit resists Psychic/Fighting and strikes back hard.

Grusha (Ice, Glaseado)

Frosmoth (Ice/Bug), Beartic, Cetitan, Weavile (Dark/Ice), Altaria (Dragon/Flying Tera Ice).

Fire/Steel: Ceruledge or Heatran melts Ice; Fire beats Bug/Dragon.
Fighting: Iron Valiant or Annihilape smashes Ice/Dark with coverage.

Recommended levels and items for gym leader rematch teams

Gym leaders in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet rematch with level 65-66 teams, so your Pokémon should be levels 66-70 for a comfortable margin, accounting for Tera Types and evolved aces.

Held items boost survivability and damage output. Prioritize Leftovers for healing, Choice items for power, and type-resist berries.

Recommended Levels

All eight leaders scale uniformly post-game.

Target Range: Lv. 66-68 minimum; Lv. 70+ ideal for sweeps without grinding.
Team Average: Aim for even levels across six Pokémon to handle full rosters.
Overleveling Tip: Lv. 72 suffices if underprepared, but type matchups matter more.

Key Held Items

Use these on counters from prior discussions (e.g., Garchomp, Annihilape).

Category	Items	Benefits	Best For
Recovery	Leftovers, Sitrus Berry	Passive HP regen; 25-33% restore on low health.	Tanks like Corviknight, Gliscor.
Offense	Choice Scarf, Choice Band/Specs	+50% Attack/Special Attack; Scarf outspeeds.	Sweepers like Staraptor, Ceruledge.
Defense	Focus Sash, Rocky Helmet	Survives OHKOs; punishes contact moves.	Against priority users like Breloom, Weavile.
Type Resist	Magnet/Black/Flame Orb (for immunities), Air Balloon	Ground immunity; activates abilities like Guts.	Electric-weak Ground types vs. Iono.

Stock Revives/Full Restores for longer fights like Grusha or Tulip.

Pokémon Scarlet Violet Gym Leader Rematch Guide – All Teams Battles